“I’m in love with him and I feel fine.”
So goes the Kop’s chant to the legendary Liverpool FC boss as we thank Jurgen Klopp for delivering his promise to end the 30-year wait to bring the Premier League title back to Anfield. However, Jurgen’s shock announcement yesterday means his time as a Red is soon coming to an end and, like millions of other Liverpool fans, I don’t think I’m fine.
Klopp confirming his exit was very much a where were you moment – and I wish I’d have found out in a more softer way than sitting on my couch when a Manchester United fan mate messaged “bye, bye Jurgen”. That a fan of a rival club was the first to message seconds after the news broke is a tremendous compliment to the German’s footballing genius and further evidence of the envy he has caused from opposition supporters during his trophy laden nine year spell at the club
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However, the 56-year-old has connected and resonated with Liverpool FC’s fanbase on such a strong, emotional level for more than just the incredible teams he has built and the triumphs they have achieved. At at time when the modern game has never felt more distant from fans, Klopp’s heart and magnetic personality meant it’s been easy to stay connected to the club.
Although he was born in Stuttgart, it just felt as though the figurehead of the club was someone who shared your views and got everything about what it meant to be from Liverpool and a Liverpool FC fan. This is no easy feat with the sophisticated tactical demands of the modern game. Many of Klopp’s contemporaries are solely defined by their football obsession – as their genius seems to overshadow all other aspects of their personality.
This never felt the case with the former Borussia Dortmund boss as he has a way of talking about all aspects of life that spoke to you as a person as well as a supporter. Whether it was talking about the importance of treasuring the moment after a last minute winner, or if he was wading in on wider political or societal issues, every time he opened his mouth it was an example of everything good about the identity of the football club and though he was truly speaking for you.
That he could do this while also being responsible for creating some of the greatest moments of your life on the pitch is the reason why it was such a hammer-blow when the news was confirmed, as though the love of your life had just announced it was time to talk. It’s this reason why processing (grieving) the news yesterday morning meant I completely forgot about a much needed post payday barbers appointment and left the house before a late shift at the ECHO without having anything to eat.
I’d like to say it was for this reason why, in a haze with other things weighing on my mind, I dropped to a surprising low for my pre shift dinner as I opted for my first sausage, beans and cheese pasty from Greggs in about 15 years on the way into the office. This – more than anything – was the most the most damning sign yet that I had truly not taken the news well.
To finally get myself together, I turned to a common source of solace I have been able to regularly rely upon over the past nine years as I allowed Klopp’s reasons for leaving the club to actually sink in when I watched his press conference. It was only when I properly managed to listen to his explanation that it became apparent the exact reason I loved him so much is why he’s calling time on his spell as Reds boss.
In his press conference, Klopp said: “My manager skills is based on energy and emotion. It needs all of you and it takes all of you. I am who I am and where I am because of how I am.”
The manager cut short a sabbatical to join Liverpool and has spent nine glorious, drama filled years at the club. However, it is entirely understandable that he is now feeling less energised and it’s a testament to his ability to look beyond football why he is able to make the decision that the time might be right as he aims to bow out on top with his health intact.
